December 10, 2015 marks the 67th Anniversary of the signing of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly. It was a direct response to the devastating effects of the Second World War. This milestone document recognizes the importance of protecting fundamental human rights for all. For instance, Article 1 states that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."
On this day, everyone is encouraged to recognize the many accomplishments that have been made in the preservation of human rights. Society has come a long way but there is still much more that needs to be done. We continue the fight to ensure that people are all treated fairly, equitably, and free from any forms of discrimination (i.e. based on age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, race). This is one way of moving forward as a collective and giving a voice to those who may not be able to speak for themselves.
This day marks the annual and global recognition of the protection of human rights. The remaining 364 days should be used to develop strategies and implement programs to combat the ongoing struggles that continue to plague many communities throughout the world.
For more information: http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/
A message from the OPSEU Provincial Human Rights Committee.